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With today being the national day of Thanksgiving in the United States, we've found a reason for everyone to be thankful as Asia's oldest hotel chain has taken shark fin soup off its menus. via CNN

The Shark-Free Marina Initiative

Reducing Worldwide Shark Mortality

What is a Shark-Free and a Shark-Friendly Marina?

A Shark-Free Marina does not allow sharks to be killed and landed from their facility
This is a ZERO TAKE policy
A Shark Friendly Marina or Business discourages killing or landing sharks.
They do not serve shark products or promote activities that intentionally harm sharks

Why have two classifications?

We'd like to register every marina as Shark-Free, however, some State laws or private companies have policies that do not allow for a complete ban on killing sharks. In these cases we offer the Shark-Friendly classification which discourages the intentional killing of sharks.

This allows for educational materials and participation in a conservation program by facilities which would otherwise not have access to our program.

To register your business, click here

Our Work & Members
	Registered 'Shark-Free' marinas participate in a voluntary program under which they agree to prohibit sharks from being landed at their facility. Working in tandem with businesses and fishermen we develop sensible protocols under which threatened species of shark are permitted to recover and replenish their populations. We also work with policy makers at local, state and federal levels to create and enforce community conscious policy and increase the awareness of the need to protect our sharks and our ocean.
Fishing from a Shark-Free Marina
	As a fisherman you should know what it means to launch from an SFMI registered marina. Catching non-endangered shark is not illegal or prohibited however our members encourage sport shark-fishermen to exercise catch-and-release techniques. Some SFMI registered marinas are also access points for tagging programs and catch & release shark-fishing tournaments. Catch-and-release fishing techniques represent a significant step in protecting valuable marine resources as well as providing valuable data for research organizations.
Why SFMI is important
	Currently between 60 and 100 million sharks are slaughtered worldwide each year. This massive cull of apex predators is unsustainable and poses a serious threat to the oceans health. The recreational fishery in the United States alone kills tens of thousands of sharks per year, removing them from an already struggling breeding population. Worldwide, the numbers are staggering. Shark-Free Marinas will reduce the mortal take of sharks and encourage responsible use of our ocean.
Who We Are
	The Shark-Free Marina Initiative is a project of the The Humane Society of the United States. It is strongly supported by the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, Fishpond Inc., Mote Marine Laboratory, The Fisheries Conservation Foundation, the Cape Eleuthera Institute, the Pegasus Foundation, and The Humane Society of the United States.